Magnetic catch assembly



Sept 3 1963 D. HEYER 3,102,748

MAGNETIC CATCH ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 21, 1960 11,1 A J" ff 6 ff' 5 I .0o/V#5J/5@ 35 INVENTOR d uw LA United States Patent O 3,102,748 MAGNETICCATCH ASSEMBLY Don lileyer, Fullerton, Calif., assigner to M 8: HIndustries, Anaheim, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 21,1960, Ser. No. 70,68)V 16 Claims. (Cl. 292-2515) This invention relatestoa magnetic catch for use in connection with cabinet doors or otherclosures to releasably hold them in a predetermined position.

It has been the practice in the production of magnetic door catchassemblies to provide a complex form of housing or mounting structureIin which are supported magnet elements for engaging a strike plate ofmagnetic material mounted on a door or similar closure which is to beheld closed by the magnet elements. This housing or mounting structureis an element apart from the magnet elements and entails considerableexpense as to tooling and production, since such a housing or mountingstructure usually includes numerous angularly related portions,apertured mounting ears and a formation which will prevent the magnetelements lfrom being pulled out of place when the door is opened.

it is an object of this invention to provide a magnetic catch assemblywhich constitutes an improvement in this art in point of eliminating theuse of a housing or special mounting means such as heretofore required,simplicity of construction, compactness, inexpensiveness, and ease ofassembly and installation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a magnetic catchassembly such as described wherein the magnet serves as a means forsupporting a pair of pole pieces as well as provides simple and reliablemounting means which may be readily adjusted best to position theassembly for eiiicient use.

Further, it is an object hereof to provide the objectives hereinbeforenoted by employing a simple form of magnet having apertured terminalportions for reception of fastenings, whereby the magnet, with separatepole pieces mounted thereon, may be directly secured to a stationarypart of a cabinet or to the cabinet door, as the case may be, forcooperation with a strike plate of magnetic material to hold the doorclosed.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel magneticcatch assembly which comprises but four separate elements, namely, amagnet having apertured ends forming mounting ears, a pair of polepieces and a simple fastening element securing these elements togetherin such a manner that the pole pieces are supported on the magnet forlimited movement relative thereto to assure proper contact thereof witha strike plate for magnetically holding a door or other closure inclosed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a magnetic catchassembly in which the magnet is provided with simple yet novelformations engageable by the pole pieces to restrict movement of thepole pieces relative to the magnet in a manner rendering the assemblyreliably self-adjusting for compensating for misalignments in cabinetdoors and similar closures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic catch assemblysuch as described wherein the pole pieces have limited relative movementindependently of one another and relative to the magnet on which theyare mounted, thereby assuring that hoth pole pieces will make propercontact with the strike plate regardless of misalignment of the door orclosure to be held by the catch.

Another object is the provision of a magnetic catch assembly whereinadvantages hereinbefore noted are achieved in a particularly simple andeffective manner by employing a shouldered rivet which is fixed to onepole piece, passes loosely through an opening in the magnet for freemovement therein, and is riveted to the other pole piece so that thelatter is movable relative thereto. With this arrangement the rivet isfreely movable `both .axially thereof and angularly about its axis inthe opening of the magnet to permit the one pole piece to which therivet is fixed to have free movement corresponding to that of the rivetrelative to the magnet, the other pole piecebeing movable axially andangularly relative to the rivet as well as relative to the magnet byreason of the rivet receiving opening thereof ybeing of much largerdiameter than the part of the rivet disposed therein. Thus, the polepieces are independently movable relative to one another as well as tothe magnet to assure proper contact thereof with the strike plate.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a magnetic catchassembly such as described which may be economically constructed ofsmall and compact form and easily installed so as to take up but littlespace, by reason of the use of a plate-like magnet having offsetapertured ends for mounting the assembly, a pair of plate-like polepieces mounted on opposite faces of the magnet in closely assembledrelation thereto between the offset ends, and the special manner ofriveting the magnet and pole pieces together to permit limited movementof the pole pieces relative to one another and the magnet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterdescribed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and thenovel features of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

FiG. l is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic catch assembly andstrike plate;

FiG. 2 is a bottom plan View of the magnetic catch assembly applied to asupport, and showin-g a strike plate in section applied to a closure andmagnetically held .in contact with the catch assembly;

FiG. 3 is a sectional View as taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as taken on the line 4,-4 of FIG. 3.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, a magnetic catch assemblyembodying the present invention includes a permanent magnet 1 whichserves-as the body of the assembly, a support ifor a pair of pole pieces2 and 3, and as lmeans `for mounting the assembly in place with the aidof ifastenings li. As here shown, the assembly is mounted on a cabinetshelf 5, with the pole pieces positioned to eng-age a strike plate 6 ofmagnetic material secured by a `fastening 7 on the cabinet door i5..

The magnet 1 as here shown, is formed as a plate-like strip having itsends correspondingly offset to form a fiat body 1a and a pair ofinte-gral mounting ears 1b oifset from one side of the body. These earshave `apertures in the fonm of slots 1c extending transversely thereof-for reception of the fastenings 4 by which the magnet is mounted on thecabinet shelf with the body 1a spaced from the shelf. The slots llcprovide for adjusting the magnet to occupy the position best suited forefficient use, after which the fastenings are tightened to fix themagnet in place.

The body '1a of the magnet has hat faces on opposite sides thereofconstituting opposite poles of the magnet. Accordingly, the pole pieces2 and 3y which are platelike, rare positioned iiatwise on the oppositeIfaces of the magnet body and are fastened thereto so as to have limitedmovement relative to one another `as well as relative to the magnet,whereby the pole pieces will be selfadjusting so that the yedges thereofare assured face-toface contact with thestrike plate 6.

As a means for `fastening lthe pole pieces 2 and 3 to the magnet bodyla, a shouldered rivet 9 of non-magnetic material is immovably rivetedat one end to the pole piece 2 with the shoulder 9a abutting the faceoli" this pole piece adjacent the magnet body. The shank 9b of the rivetpasses loosely through an opening ld in the magnet body, this openingbeing elongate transversely of the magnet body 'and of such size withrelation to the rivet shank 9b as to permit of free movement of therivet and the pole piece 2 as a unit relative to the magnet.

The rivet 9 is also fastened to the pole .piece 3 but in such a manneras to permit limited movement of this pole piece relative to the rivetand the magnet body. For this purpose the shank 9b of the rivet isextended loosely through a beveled opening 3a in the pole piece 3i, thisopening being elongate transversely of the pole piece 3 and of `greaterdiameter than the rivet shank vto permit lim-ited movement of the polepiece 3 relative to the rivet `as well as relative to the pole piece 2and magnet 1. A beveled head 9c on the rivet is of such size as toVretain 'the pole piece 3 loosely mounted on the magnet l. With thisarrangement the pole piece 3 has limited movement axially of the rivetand the magnet as well as angular movement about the :axis of the rivetwhile the rivet is also capable of limited axial movement together withthe pole piece 2 relative to the magnet and pole piece 3. Moreover, thepole pieces are independently movable angularly about the axis of therivet. y

Means are provided to limit angular movement of the pole pieces 2 and 3labout the axis of the rivet. Accordingly, the offsetting of the endportions forming the ears 1b of rthe magnet provide on one side of thelatter the shoulders 1e and on the other side the shoulders if. Theoffsetting of the ends of the magnet defines between the shoulders 1e arecess 1g in which the pole piece 2 is loosely mounted with its endedges spaced sufliciently 'from the shoulders le to permit of limitedangular movement of this pole piece about the axis of the rivet.

Angular movement of the pole piece 3` about the axis of the rivet 9 islimited by means of the shoulder 1f being engageable by inwardly curvedend portions 3b of the pole piece 3, these inwardly curved end portionsbeing normally spaced from 4the shoulders 1e as shown in FIG. 4. Notches3c are formed between the inwardly curved end portions 3b to accommodatethe fastenings 4 and to permit the pole piece 3 to move relative tothese fastenings.

Itis desired that the outer longitudinal edges 2e and 3e of the polepieces 2 and 3, as shown in HG. 3, be disposed at all times in somewhatoutwardly spaced relationto the adjacent edge 1h of the magnet 1, inorder that the pole pieces will always be in a position to engage thestrike plate 6 ahead of the ledge 1h of the magnet. {For this purposethe opening 1d in the magnet has opposed side walls `1]' so spaced fromthe rivet 9 as to limit the movement of the rivet in a'direction normalto the edge 1h an extent which will prevent the edges 2e and VSie of thepole pieces from being disposed inwardly of the outer edge 1h of themagnet. However, there is sufficient clearance between the rivet 9 andthe side walls 1]', also between the end walls in the slot la to assuresumcient movement of the pole pieces to provide for alignment of theedges 2e and 3e withthe strike plate 6. Should the face of the strikeplate 6 not be presented squarely to the edges 2e and 3e, the polepieces 2 and 3` upon contact with the strike plate will adjustthemselves for proper contact therewith. This proper contact of the polepieces iis further assured by having the pole pieces subject toindependent movement relative to one another and the magnet. Suchflexibility of `the magnetic catch assembly signiiicantly simplifiesassembly and installation since precision of manufacture and assemblyare not important.

IIt should be noted'with reference to IFIGS'. 3 and 4 that in havingthemagnet provided with thev offset mounting ears 1b, the assembly canbe very compactly made for convenient positioning underneath a cabinetshelf so as to occupy but little cabinet space. This offsetting of theported; a pair of pole pieces; and means mounting' said beingxed to oneof said pole pieces for movement there.-

vmounting ears at ends of the magnet also provides ample room betweenthe bottom of the cabinet shelf and the ypole piece 2 to assure thedesired self-aligning movement p of the pole piece 2 and the rivet. v

While specic structural details have been shown and Idescribed, itshould be understood that changes and alterations may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

l. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet having at least one ofits extremities adapted to be xed directly upon a str-ucture on .whichthe assembly is to be supported; a pair of pole pieces; and meansmounting said .pole pieces ron said magnet providing for limitedmovement of said pole pieces relative to said magnet.

2. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet, opposite portions ofwhich are adapted to be fixed directly upon a structure on which theassembly is to be suppole pieces on said magnet providing `for limitedmovement of said pole pieces relative to one another as well as relativeto said magnet.

r3. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: means carried by said magnetadapted to be mounted on `a structure on which thev assembly is to besupported; a pair of pole pieces; and vmeans mounting said pole pieceson said magnetfor movement relative thereto including a fasteningextending through said magnet and joined to saidrpole pieces, saidfastening beingbodily movable relative to said magnet.

4. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet; means carried by saidmagnet adapted to be fixed to a support rfor the assembly; a pair ofpole pieces; and means mounting said pole pieces on said magnet forbodily movement relative to one another as well as relative to saidVmagnet including a lfastening extending through said magnet andimmovably fixed to one of said pole pieces and axially movable relativeto said magnet.

5. A magnetic catch assembly comprising:v a magnet; a pair of polepieces; and means mounting said pole pieces on said magnet for movementrelative thereto including a fastening joined to said pole pieces andextending through said magnet so as to be bodily movable relativethereto said magnet having at least one extremity extending outwardlyfrom ledges of said pole pieces and disposed to be fastened to a supportfor the assembly.

` '6. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet; means carried bysaid magnet adapted to be fxed to a support for the assembly; a pair ofpole pieces; and means mounting said pole pieces on said, magnet formovement relative to vsaid magnet including a fastening immovably Afixedto one of said pole pieces extendingA through said magnet and connectedto the other pole piece; said fastening being movable axially relativeto said magnet and said other pole piece.

7. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet; means carried by saidmagnet adapted to be fixed to a support for the assembly; a pair of polepieces; and means mounting said pole lpieces on said magnet for movementrelativey to said magnet including a fastening connected with said polepieces and said magnet; said yfastening with and being movable axiallyand angularly relative to the other pole piece and said magnet.

i8. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet vhaving aperturedmargins Ifor reception of fastenings for mounting said magnet on astructure on which the assembly is to be supported; fa pair of polepieces; and means mounting said pole pieces for bodily sliding movementon said magnet including a fastening extending through said magnet andconnected with said pole pieces;

9. A-magnetic catch assembly comprising: a platelike magnet havingopposite apertured margins disposed to be secured by fastenings on asupport for the assembly;

a pair of pole pieces; and means mounting said pole pieces a magnet;

on opposite sides of said magnet `for movement relative to t saidmagnet; t

10. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet having apertured endportions adapted to be secured by fastenings on a support for theassembly; a pair of pole pieces; and means mounting said pole pieces onopposite sides of said magnet between said end portions for movementrelative to said magnet with said pole pieces movable relative to oneanother as 'Well as relative to said magnet.

1:1. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet having ends adaptedto be fastened on a support for the assembly; a pair of pole pieces;`and means mounting said pole pieces on opposite sides of said magnetfor movement relative to said magnet between said ends; said ends beingoffset from the remainder of said magnet. p

12. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet having ends adaptedto be fastened on a support for the assembly; a pair of pole pieces; andmeans mounting said pole pieces on opposite sides of said magnet formovement relative to said magnet; said ends being oifset 'from saidmagnet and providing shoulders on opposite sides of said magnet for`cooperation With said pole pieces to l-limit said movement of said polepieces.

13. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet having opposite facesconstituting the opposite poles of the magnet; apertured ears fixed toopposite ends of the magnet and affording the mounting of the magnet ona surface of a structure -for supporting the assembly with one of saidfaces in opposed spaced relation to said surlface of said structure;pole pieces mounted on said faces with portions thereof disposed inoutwardly spaced relation yto said magnet; and a fastening extendingthrough said magnet and connected with said pole pieces so as to permitmovement of said pole pieces relative to one another as Well as relativeto said magnet.

14. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: an elongate magnet :having endportions correspondingly offset to dene between said end portions amagnet body portion fhaving opposite faces constituting the oppositepoles of the magnet; said end portions being Idisposed to be mountedagainst a surface of a support for the assembly so that `tioned inopposed and spaced relation to said surface of said support; la polepiece positioned on said face of said body portion between said otfsetend portions so that it will be spaced from said Surface of saidsupport; another pole piece mounted on the` other face of said magnetbody portion; and a fastening extending through said magnet andconnected with `said pole pieces in a manner permitting movement of saidpole pieces relative to said magnet.

15. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: a magnet body; pole pieces onopposite sides of said body for engage-ment by a strike plate;connecting means securing said magnet and pole pieces in assembledrelation as a unit with said magnet and pole pieces subject to relativemovement; and mounting means free from connection with said connectingmeans and supported in said assembly solely by connection thereof withmangins only of said magnet body and having portions offset from theplane of said magnet body for connection with a support -for the magnetcatch assembly.

16. A magnetic catch assembly comprising: an eloni gate magnet body; apair of pole pieces on opposite sides of said body and projectinglaterally of said magnet body for engagement by a strike plate; andmeans at the endsl of said :magnet body connectab'le to a support; saidmagnet body being yoffset from said means at the ends of said magnetbody and forming therewith shoulders on one face and a recess in theother face; one of said pole pieces being mounted in said recess; theother of said pole pieces having end portions projecting into opposedrelation to the shoulders on said magnet body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,240,035 Catherall Apr. 29, 1941 2,862,752. Heppner Dec. 2, 19582,950,140 Stone Aug. 23, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS i 607,148 Great BritainAug. 26, 1948

1. A MAGNETIC DOOR CATCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A MAGNET HAVING AT LEASTONE OF ITS EXTREMITIES ADAPTED TO BE FIXED DIRECTLY UPON A STRUCTURE ONWHICH THE ASSEMBLY IS TO BE SUPPORTED; A PAIR OF POLE PIECES; AND MEANSMOUNTING SAID POLE PIECES ON SAID MAGNET PROVIDING FOR LIMITED MOVEMENTOF SAID POLE PIECES RELATIVE TO SAID MAGNET.